Is Xiaomi set to launch a stock Android smartphone with a dual camera array?

Xiaomi has announced its plans to launch a new smartphone lineup on September 5th, which could house devices running stock Android.

Though it was generally expected that Xiaomi would leverage its September 5th event to host an international launch of the Mi 5X, a new teaser from Xiaomi has indicated that the company is preparing to announce a new smartphone lineup to join its Mi and Redmi series.

An image posted by the Chinese marque’s Twitter account illustrates a ‘new series by Xiaomi’ adorned by gears, clocks, and drums in Google’s colors. The news could indicate the release of a stock Android smartphone, especially since Google and Xiaomi recently collaborated to produce an Android One based smartphone.

Rumours have claimed that Xiaomi could debut a device dubbed the Mi A1; an upgraded Mi 5X that may espouse stock Android in favour of MIUI, which is Xiaomi’s custom software skin.

Though MIUI offers plenty of useful features, its effectiveness has largely been limited to the Chinese market where Google’s Play Services are officially banned. Though the company produces effective and affordable hardware, we’ve often opined in our reviews that MIUI can hamper the ease-of-use that many in South Africa expect from their smart device.

The company further revealed that whatever smartphone it introduces at its September 5th event will bear a dual-camera array – giving further credence to the idea that the firm might well issue an upgraded version of the Mi 5X (or even the Mi 6) with Western markets in mind.

Should the company elect to produce a stock Android phone, it remains to be seen whether the device will bear Xiaomi’s livery – Huawei, for parity, has elected to offer devices under the Honor badge to US consumers rather than trade larger volumes under its own name.